LAFAYETTE, Ind. -Purdue University student Mohamed Bouftas appeared to have a 3.85 grade point average until it was revealed that he forged professors’ signatures to change grades F, D, C and B+ to A.
His real GPA is 1.68, and his legal status is a conviction for forgery.
Bouftas, 23, of West Lafayette, admitted in April to three counts of forgery and was sentenced Friday to four years in prison. According to the court, his sentence was suspended and he was placed on probation.
An individual from Purdue’s administrative office noticed the grade change form that seemed suspicious. Employees of the registrar asked the professor why she used the paper form to change the grade instead of the online portal.
The professor said she did not change Bouftas’ grade, which led to the Registrar’s Office staff investigating.
Prosecutors said they found 30 grade change forms for Bouftas. According to prosecutors, 27 of these grade change forms involved forged professor signatures.
Bouftas’ forgeries began in the fall semester of 2021. It was discovered in the spring semester of 2023.
Prosecutors initially charged Bouftas with 12 counts in September, including six counts of forgery, five counts of fraud and one count of corrupt business influence.
The plea deal called for all but three forgery charges to be dismissed.
Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This article originally appeared in the Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue student forged professors’ signatures to change his grades
